Nevertheless, staying vigilant is important for each team. The new rules say anytime players are on the field at the facility their time must be taped, just in cases the league wants/needs to review something — the Cards even had to trim trees to create better sight lines — although coach Ken Whisenhunt said he feels like his players understand how practices have to go to make sure nothing crosses the line.

“I think our guys have a good understanding of the tempo,” Whisenhunt said. “They go hard but they know when to pull off. You get competitive situations, like line stunts, when you are trying to get timing, but they know they have to pull off and no one has gotten in a position where it has gone over the top. They understand how to practice. It’s not pads, so you can’t really turn it loose like in training camp.”

25 Responses
to “Being careful in OTA work”

Darren- anything in the pipeline as far as qb competition goes? we all know they are splitting reps and ive seen notes that skelton was off but how have they looked? this pic looks like a perfect throw right over the cb in stride for the wr. how is accuracy looking? leadership? strength? footwork? i guess maybe you cant say much as an employee but im curious how the are doing and how our qb confidence is. us fans are pretty nervous about the situation

Well, in terms of the picture, if you look, it’s Patrick Peterson trying to haul it in over the outstretched hand of Andre Roberts.

As far as the competition, I have no idea what they are looking at right now and frankly, i don’t put too much stock in the battle now. It’ll come down to camp and preseason games. What leadership are you really going to show in OTAs for instance, at least in order to create separation? With no pass rush, what does the rest mean? Nothing.

Darren….off the subject but any idea why the event calendar does not appear to have been updated since the NFL draft. No fan fest, no training camp….would be nice to have updated as a one stop shop for event dates……

Big Hat-Tip to Eason as well as the runningbacks. They all look good and ready to step in for Beanie. I’ve always had confidence in Alfonso Smith and with LaRod Stephens-Howling, William Powell, and even Javarris James I’m satisfied. Now if only Ken W. would use them and Anthony Sherman? I like pulling for the underdog. Heck, I’d even think Jared Crank could shine if given the chance. Notice I didn’t mention R. Williams since he hasn’t done anything for us yet and I don’t expect much from him until maybe the 2nd half of the season.

Are you expecting that Heap, Housler, and King will all be on the opening day roster? Just wondering…I’m all for depth, but keeping all 3 of these guys would seem excessive ( to me ) for a team that just does not utilize the TE the way many other teams do. I loved the way King was invloved and making plays early on last year. And I would love to see more of Housler. Heap, I ( still ) just don’t get. It’s been a few years since he was last noteworthy.

Kinda off topic but, the NFL network has that series of 32 teams in 32 days. Do you know what day they will be featuring the Cards?…. I would love to be able to check that out. Even though the national media rarely has good things to say about us, unless they are talking about Larry Fitz.

OK, I hear ya. With Heap, the injuries are pretty much built in at this point and have been for the past several seasons. You know I think in simple terms, so my mindset would be, if injuries were a problem with a particular position last year, why stick with the guy who you pretty much know – based on his recent history – is not gonna be able to stay healthy? Keep 3 TE’s if you must. But why does he have to be one of them???

Darren,
Did you see that John Clayton thinks Housler will be a break out player this season? Not just on the Cardinals but in the entire NFC. His size and speed beside the current healthy wr group…
Do you think he has the talent? and Do the Cardinals have QB’s that can exploit talent all over the field (accuracy)?
thanks

HHMMMM, why does everything you say have to be negative? Is that last year’s pics? Isn’t that against OTA’s rules? Why not enjoy the conversations? Everytime I get on this blog and your on, I know you will be looking for the Pessimistic sides of everything. CARDSALLTHEWAY would seem to me be EXCITED about the year.

As I understand the new OTA rules, what is shown in the picture is allowed during Phase 3 as long as no live contact occurs. From what we can see from the picture there is nothing to indicate there was any, as Roberts is diving to break the play up instead of going after Peterson.

Out of curiosity, as a Cardinals fan, and with your obvious interest in monitoring any possible OTA infractions, why aren’t you mocking Carroll for not knowing the OTA rules? You’re obviously chomping at the bit to find any example of Whisenhunt making the same mistake. Sure you don’t want to call yourself Hawksalltheway?

Glad to see Heap back in the lineup, with his experience and skill, I don’t understand the whining. The TE position is an important weapon and I was hoping that we would be looking for some depth here. Hope Housler CAN have a breakout year cause he was looking really good last year before he got hurt. I’m pretty pleased with the way things are shaping up and can’t wait for the HOF game against the Saints. Did Fitz have his training camp this year or is that now against the rules? Seems like it would be in everybody’s best interest for these guys to be able to stay fresh on their own time.. Counting down the days!

Well, sure, I hope Housler will stay healthy AND pan out. But, again, what does “pan out” mean with THIS team when you’re talking about the TE position??? Players need opportunities to “pan out” and TE’s here have not had many of those over the last several years.

As for your question about replacing Heap with whom, well, I just don’t see where he is all that difficult to replace. Surely, there will be players that come available down the line when teams have to trim down the rosters. Can’t tell ya who those players will be until it happens but there will be guys available. Heck, anyone capable of making a solid contribution and has no recent hx of injuries would be fine just for that reason alone.